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Kimber ‘s 1911 Tactical Pro II 9mm
Posted by Junior Shooters
By: Cody Leeper (16)
Are you interested in a single stack 1911 in 9mm? A pistol carried for law enforcement or used for defense must be dependable. Safety, accuracy, and power are important, but dependability is paramount.
(Right: Kimber’s 1911 Tactical Pro II 9mm with Zero Ammunition’s 115-grain JHP .)
Such dependability and accuracy is also important when competing. A jam or malfunction can cost you seconds in a steel challenge or USPSA event, and seconds mean winning or losing.
(Above: Kimber Tactical Pro II 9mm with extra magazine and box of Wolf ammunition)
Kimber Tactical models were designed with that in mind. They have made a model that is the good ‘ol M1911 only it can come in 9mm. I know who wants a 1911 in 9mm. Well, sir, I do. It does fill a useful niche. Like some other Kimber models, the frame of each Tactical is machined from proven 7075-T7 aluminum. These frames are dramatically lighter than those cut from steel yet every bit as strong. Light pistols are easier to carry, and 1911 pistols with aluminum frames weigh about seven ounces less than those with a steel frame.
(Right: Cody, author, shooting the Kimber 1911 Tactical Pro 9mm in a the weekly steel challenge matches in Idaho. He is using a Center Of Mass (COM) competition holster.)
The Custom Shop’s Premium Aluminum Trigger breaks between four and five pounds with minimal creep or over travel. Kimber trigger quality is without peer in production semi-automatic pistols, and a great trigger makes a huge contribution to accurate shooting.
(Above: The Kimber 1911 Tactical Pro II has a machined aluminum frame, an outstanding trigger breaking about four and half pounds, and ambidextrous thumb safeties.)
Another great contribution to the design is the ambidextrous thumb safety. This is a great addition because of the fact that anyone can shoot it. You lefties also won’t have to pay anything extra for a gun that is made for a left-handed shooter. The Tactical Pro II comes with a four-inch bushingless, match-grade barrel, which is also available in 45ACP. No, I’m not getting into the endless 45 ACP vs. 9mm debate. I will say one thing about it –over the last several years, ammo makers have come a very long way in making the 9mm a much more effective load than it was even ten years ago. With all the new different types of pistol bullets out there, along with +P ammunition, if you put those rounds where they need to go, a 9mm will do the job just as well as a 45ACP.
(Left: Sarah bowers shooting steel challenge with the Kimber Tactical Pro ii 9mm. Holster is a Ted Blocker “Wild Bunch” holster legal.)
These days there is certainly one reason for using a 9mm that has nothing to do with the caliber debate, and that is the cost of shooting. At MidwayUsa, 500 rounds of 45 ACP cost $126 whereas 9mm is $76 for 500 rounds. That is a considerable savings, which makes all the difference for those of us that don’t have limitless bank accounts. The Kimber holds 9 rounds of 9mm in the magazine with one up the pipe. This means you have ten rounds at your disposal in a lightweight, highly concealable 1911. What more could you ask for in a daily carry gun that will ride with you eight or ten hours a day? Juniors can’t carry concealed, but many of us do compete in International Defense Pistol Association (IDPA) competitions which do require concealment, so this makes the perfect pistol.
(Left: Kimber in COM holster using a Safariland belt. Above: A Safriland rig is great for steel challenge, USPSA or IDPA competition.)
The three-dot adjustable sights are easy for the eye to focus in on to get that quick first shot count. I used this pistol last summer to shoot steel challenge matches in my hometown of Emmett, Idaho. This pistol was provided to me by Junior Shooters magazine and was provided by Kimber Firearms to test it out and see how I liked it. Well, I am here to say it is an amazing nice pistol for steel challenge events, as well as competing in USPSA in the Single Stack Division and in IDPA events. I was very pleased with how user friendly and easy to operate it was. I also loved the low recoil it had compared to other 9mm pistols despite the light weight.
(Above: Cody smiles when shooting the Kimber Pro 9mm.)
Accuracy was excellent, and its function was perfect. It operated every shot without any jams. I was very pleased with how well this pistol performed and look forward to testing other models from Kimber.
Accuracy: Five-shot group at 15 yards from sandbag rest. Note: Each firearm usually has specific ammunition that it prefers, providing the best accuracy for that firearm.
(Above: A 1 and 1/8th inch five-shot group using Zero Ammunition 115-grain JHP ammunition at 15 yards.)
Ammunition Group Size
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Zero Ammunition 115-grain FMJ 1 and 1/8 inch
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3.4 grains of 700x 1 and 1/8 inch
Zero 115 –grain JHP bullet (Note: if you plan on reloading, don’t use this powder load. Though the accuracy was outstanding and it cycled fine, the case would not eject.) -
Winchester 115-grain FMJ 1 and 7/8 inch
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Black Hills 117-grain sub-sonic 2 and 1/8 inch
Kimber: www.kimberamerica.com
Black Hills Ammunition: www.black-hills.com
COM Center Of Mass: www.comholsters.com
Safariland: www.safriland.com
Ted Blocker Holsters: www.tedblockerholsters.com
Winchester Ammunition: winchester (Above: Ted Blocker holster)
Zero Ammunition: www.zerobullets.com
| Specifications: | Height (inches) 90° to barrel: 5.50 Weight (ounces) with empty magazine: 28 Length (inches): 7.7 Magazine capacity: 7 Magazine well Ambidextrous thumb safety Recoil spring (pounds): 22.0 Full length guide rod |
| Frame: | Material: Aluminum Finish: Matte gray KimPro II™ frame finish Width (inches): 1.28 Front strap checkering Checkering under trigger guard |
| Slide: | Material: Steel Finish: Matte black |
| Barrel: | Length (inches): 4 Material: Steel, match grade Twist rate (left hand): 16 |
| Sights: | Meprolight Tritium 3-dot night sight, fixed Radius (inches): 5.7 |
| Grips: | Laminated Double diamond Kimber logo |
| Trigger: | Premium Aluminum Match Grade Factory setting (appx. pounds): 4.0 – 5.0 |
| MSRP: | $1250.00 |
Published by Junior Shooters magazine & Junior Sports Magazines Inc. September 2010
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